Provisioning radios associated with access points for testing a wireless network

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for provisioning unique identifiers to a plurality of access points (APs) in a wireless network and radios associated thereto is provided. By utilizing a testing apparatus in communication via a network with the APs, the methods and systems assign a unique radio test identifier for an AP in the plurality of APs and provisions the AP radio associated with the AP in the plurality of APs with the corresponding unique radio test identifier. The testing apparatus has a provisioning mode that can be switched on or off. Also provided are a system for provisioning the unique identifiers and applications thereof; for example, in testing and providing maintenance of APs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/388,290, filed Dec. 22, 2016, which inturn claims priority from and is a continuation of international PCTPatent Application PCT/US14/72363 filed Dec. 24, 2014, which claimspriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application U.S. 62/016,546 filedJun. 24, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of wireless network devices,specifically unique identification of individual radios for targetedtesting.

BACKGROUND

A wireless network, e.g., a Wi-Fi (also spelled WiFi or WiFi) network,utilizes technologies that allow an electronic device to exchange dataor connect to the internet without wired connection. For example, in atypical WiFi network, a connection is accomplished using microwaves inthe 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The wireless network is termed awireless local area network (WLAN), in contrast to wired local areanetwork (LAN) where a physical connection to the internet is used; e.g.,by using cable, telephone, or Ethernet. In a wireless network, one ormore access points (APs) are used to provide network connection tomultiple devices. The most commonly used protocol for wirelessconnection includes but is not limited to the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi)standard protocol.

A home WiFi network typically requires only one access point (AP), whichmay have one or more radios at different frequencies. During deployment,troubleshooting, or maintenance, there is no need for an operator ofsuch a network to pinpoint which AP is being accessed. Even when the APbroadcasts multiple radio frequencies, the operator can easily detectand measure data associate with different radio frequencies.

What is needed are methods and systems for automatic and uniquelyidentifying individual APs and radios associated thereto when theyoperate under the same network.

SUMMARY

The present invention concerns a method of provisioning access point(AP) radios, comprising: via a testing apparatus in communication via anetwork with a plurality of APs, assigning a unique radio testidentifier for an AP in the plurality of APs; and provisioning the APradio associated with the AP in the plurality of APs with thecorresponding unique radio test identifier, wherein the provisioning canbe switched on or off. The radio test identifier may be a MAC address ora serial number. This embodiment may append the unique radio testidentifier for the AP with a base identifier assigned to the network,further assigning the base identifier, which could be an SSID, to thenetwork. This provisioning of AP radios may be a mode that can beswitched on or off. Provisioning AP radios causes storage of the uniqueradio identifier, storage of the AP identity that is provisioned, andreceiving of testing data from at least one AP. This unique radioprovisioning information, AP identity, and corresponding testing datamay be displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI). In someembodiments, the testing apparatus can be a controller, a distributedcontroller and an independent testing device.

Systems and methods here for provisioning access points (AP), include,via a testing apparatus in communication with a network and a pluralityof APs, receiving a unique identifier, provisioning, by, sending an AP abase identifier, and sending the AP the unique identifier, testing, by,sending the AP a trigger to broadcast the base identifier and the uniqueidentifier. Certain examples include where the unique identifier isunique to each radio associated with the AP, when the AP is configuredto have multiple radios operating at different frequencies. Certainexamples are further comprising, sending the AP a trigger to broadcastthe base identifier and not the unique identifier, and some where thereceiving a unique identifier is via the network. In someimplementations, the receiving a unique identifier is via the pluralityof APs, and in some, the unique identifier is selected from the groupconsisting of the serial number of the AP, the medium access code (MAC)address of the AP, the physical location of the AP, and a combinationthereof.

Some inventive aspects have the base identifier is a service setidentifier (SSID). Some have the unique identifier replace the baseidentifier of the AP radio. In certain examples, the unique identifieris combined with the base identifier of the network. In certainexamples, the unique identifier is the same for all radios associatedwith the AP, when the AP is configured to have multiple radios operatingat different frequencies, and in some, each unique identifier associatedwith each radio of an AP is the frequency range of the radio. Certainexamples include via the testing apparatus, causing storage of theunique identifier, and causing storage of the AP identity that isprovisioned with the unique identifier. In some examples, via agraphical user interface, they include causing display of the uniqueidentifier and the AP identity that is provisioned with the uniqueidentifier.

In certain examples, the testing apparatus is selected from the groupconsisting of a controller (e.g., element 140), a distributedcontroller, an independent testing device, and a combination thereof.And in some, the distributed controller comprises an intelligent AP oran intelligent mobile node. In some examples, the independent testingdevice is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, adigital personal assistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet,a specialized networked testing device, and a combination thereof

Systems and methods of testing a plurality of access points (APs) in anetwork, here, include sending, via a testing apparatus in communicationwith the network and the plurality of APs, a base network identifier toeach AP in the network, a unique radio test identifier to each AP in thenetwork, and a command to each AP in the plurality APs, to cause them tobroadcast the base network identifier and the respective unique radiotest identifiers, and receiving, via a local testing device, testingdata correlated to each AP corresponding to each AP unique radio testidentifier.

In some examples, the unique radio test identifier is based on the MACaddress of an AP. And in some, the unique radio test identifier is theserial number of an AP. Some examples have, via the testing apparatus,receiving the unique radio test identifier for each AP in the network,from the respective AP in the network. And in some examples the testingapparatus is selected from the group consisting of a controller (e.g.,element 140), a distributed controller, an independent testing device,and a combination thereof. In certain examples, the distributedcontroller comprises an intelligent AP or an intelligent mobile node.

In certain examples, the independent testing device is selected from thegroup consisting of a mobile phone, a digital personal assistant (PDA),a portable networked device, a tablet, a specialized networked testingdevice, and a combination thereof. In some, the local testing device isselected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a digital personalassistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet, a specializednetworked testing device, and a combination thereof. In some, thetesting apparatus and local testing device are the same.

Methods and system for provisioning a unique radio test identifier to anAP in a plurality of access points (APs) in a wireless network, mayinclude a plurality of access points (APs) in a wireless network, atesting apparatus in communication via a network with the plurality ofAPs, wherein the testing apparatus is configured to, switch on aprovisioning mode, send a base network identifier to each AP in thenetwork, send a unique identifier to each AP in the network, send acommand to the APs to broadcast the base network identifier and uniqueidentifier.

Some examples have the testing apparatus is selected from the groupconsisting of a controller (e.g., element 140), a distributedcontroller, an independent testing device, and a combination thereof. Insome examples, the distributed controller comprises an AP or a networkinterface module. And in some, the independent testing device isselected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a digital personalassistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet, a specializednetworked testing device, and a combination thereof.

In certain examples, the unique identifier is unique to each radioassociated with an AP, when the AP is configured to have multiple radiosoperating at different frequencies. In some examples, the testingapparatus is configured to send the AP a trigger to broadcast the baseidentifier and not the unique identifier. In certain examples, theunique identifier is sent via the network. In certain aspects, theunique identifier is sent via the plurality of APs.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier is selected from the groupconsisting of the serial number of the AP, the medium access code (MAC)address of the AP, the physical location of the AP, and a combinationthereof, and in some examples, the base identifier is a service setidentifier (SSID). In certain inventive aspects, the unique identifierreplaces the base identifier of the AP radio, and in some, the uniqueidentifier is appended to the base identifier of the network.

Some examples have the unique identifier as the same for all of theradios associated with that AP, when the AP is configured to havemultiple radios operating at different frequencies. In some examples,each unique identifier is associated with each radio of an AP is thefrequency range of the radio.

Methods and systems for providing maintenance for a plurality of accesspoints (APs) in a network, may include a plurality of APs in a wirelessnetwork, configured to broadcast one or more unique radio testidentifiers, a testing apparatus in communication with the plurality ofAPs, configured to send a command to the plurality of APs to broadcasttheir one or more unique radio test identifiers, and an application on alocal testing device in communication with the plurality of APs,configured to receive transmission data from the plurality of APs andsend the transmission data regarding the plurality of APs to thecontroller.

In some examples, the testing apparatus is selected from the groupconsisting of a controller (e.g., element 140), a distributedcontroller, an independent testing device, and a combination thereof. Incertain examples, the distributed controller comprises an AP or anetwork interface module. In some examples, the independent testingdevice is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, adigital personal assistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet,a specialized networked testing device, and a combination thereof

In some embodiments, the local testing device is selected from the groupconsisting of a mobile phone, a digital personal assistant (PDA), aportable networked device, a tablet, a specialized networked testingdevice, and a combination thereof. In certain methods and systems, thetesting apparatus and local testing device are the same. Some exampleshave the unique radio test identifier based on the MAC address of an AP.And in some, the unique radio test identifier is the serial number of anAP.

One of skill in the art would understand that the embodiments disclosedherein, when applicable, can be included in conjunction with any aspectof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carriedout in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1A illustrate an exemplary network diagram with access pointsaccording to some embodiments herein.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary network diagram for a wireless networkwith a plurality of access points, according to some embodiments herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary embodiments of an access point (AP)according to some embodiments herein.

FIG. 2B illustrates exemplary embodiments of a controller according tosome embodiments herein.

FIG. 2C illustrates exemplary embodiments of an interaction diagram ofan AP, a controller and a local testing device according to someembodiments herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart illustrating exemplary methods forimplementing the present invention according to some embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart illustrating another exemplary method forimplementing the present invention according to some embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea sufficient understanding of the subject matter presented herein. Butit will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the subjectmatter may be practiced without these specific details. Moreover, theparticular embodiments described herein are provided by way of exampleand should not be used to limit the scope of the invention to theseparticular embodiments. In other instances, well-known data structures,timing protocols, software operations, procedures, and components havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments of the invention.

Wireless Overview

As noted, in a wireless network (e.g., a WiFi network), one or moreaccess points (APs) are used to provide network connection to multipledevices without wired or other physical connections. It will beunderstood that, although a WiFi network is often used in thedescription as an example to illustrate the invention, the methods andsystems described herein are applicable to any wireless network.Described herein are methods and systems for automatically and uniquelyidentifying individual APs that are located within the same wirelessnetwork.

A WiFi network in an enterprise or urban environment, however, requiresmultiple access points (APs) to provide coverage over a large area(e.g., elements 102, 104, 106 and 108 in FIG. 1). Under such situations,an operator needs to test each individual AP during testing andmaintenance. Additionally, each AP can contain a plurality of radiosoperating at particular frequencies. The operator may also need to testeach individual radio. Because all APs in the same WiFi networkbroadcast under the same network name, e.g., a Service Set Identifierreferred to as an SSID, testing was previously accomplished by leavingthe desired AP turned on while turning off all other APs. In a largenetwork, this technique may become unwieldy.

In certain embodiments, each AP can in turn contain one or more radiosat different frequencies. During maintenance of the wireless network, anoperator may need to perform tests on individual APs. Because each AP ina network operates under a single base network identifier (e.g., aService Set Identifier or SSID), isolating and testing a radio in asingle AP may be useful.

In some examples, a base identifier may be assigned by the network whenthe WLAN is set up, for example in a provisioning step. The baseidentifier may be considered a network identifier that can distinguish aparticular wireless network from other wireless network. For example, ina large office building, when multiple companies are located in closevicinity to each other, multiple base identifiers or network identifiersmay be necessary to allow users to select the appropriate wirelessnetwork for connection with their company. Similarly, a public spacesuch as a park, the local coffee shop may provide a pay network, and alocal library may provide a free network. The SSIDs of the networks, asbroadcast by the APs operated by the coffee shop and library help theusers of the client devices to distinguish the networks and choose withwhich to associate.

Unique Radio Identifiers

FIG. 1A shows an example network embodiment with various APs 102, 104,106 and 108. In certain examples, all of the APs are connected to thesame network 120 and back end such as a testing apparatus (e.g.,controller 140) and data storage 130. In such an example network, it maybe useful to inform possible clients of the identity of the network.Thus, for example all of the APs in FIG. 1A may broadcast a network baseidentifier such as an SSID 103, 105, 107, 109 so that users or clientdevices in range are able to identify the network that they wish tojoin. Thus, in such an example, on the user display of the client device108 a, the user is able to see a list of SSIDs that APs in range of itare broadcasting. In this way, the user of the client device 108 a mayselect which network to connect to, such as in the examples above, thenetwork operated by the library, company or coffee shop.

The identifying SSID information for any particular network may be sentto the APs from the system, such as from a testing apparatus (e.g.,controller 140, a distributed controller or an independent testingdevice) in communication with a network 120. In such an embodiment, thesame SSID is sent, or provisioned, to the APs to broadcast to potentialclients to ensure that the clients understand to which network they mayconnect. But when a client device 108 a comes in range of one or moreAP, that client device only sees that the particular SSID is available.The client has no visibility as to which AP is broadcasting which SSID.And if all of the APs are broadcasting the same SSID, the client devicecannot discern which AP it is choosing to associate to, even if itunderstands to which network it is associating.

If, on the other hand, in FIG. 1A, the APs each broadcast the same baseSSID coupled with a unique identifier appended to it, the client device108 a could then see which network they may join based on the base SSID,but also understand which AP they are receiving a signal from, becauseof the unique appended identifier. In other words, in some embodiments,the SSID 105 broadcast from AP 104 is different than the SSID 107broadcast from AP 106, by way of a unique identifier that the clientdevice 108 a is able to view. If the user of the client deviceunderstands the correlation between the unique identifier and the baseSSID and the AP, the user may discern which AP from which it isreceiving a signal.

Unique identification of the APs may be achieved by associating each APwith any number of unique identifiers. The terms “unique identifier,”“unique radio identifier,” “unique test identifier,” and “unique radiotest identifier” will be used interchangeably. Any identifier thatuniquely identifies an AP can be used. Examples of such uniqueidentifiers include but are not limited to a media access controladdress (MAC address), a serial number of the AP itself, asystematically generated identifier, an identifier explaining thephysical location and/or physical attributes of the individual AP andothers.

Other identifiers may be used to identify an AP as well.

Exemplary Provisioning System and Testing Apparatus

In one aspect, provided herein are systems and methods for automaticallyassigning those unique identifiers to individual APs and radiosassociated thereto, when the APs and radios are all connected to thesame wireless network and share the same network ID. An exemplaryprovisioning system is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Also provided herein is testing apparatus that performs the evaluationof network related activities of individual APs within the network. Asused herein, the term “testing apparatus” refers to an apparatus that iscapable to recognize APs in a network and/or test the activities ofindividual APs. For example, a testing apparatus can assign anidentifier to an AP, cause the AP to broadcast a pre-assignedidentifier, send, receive and record data relating to the networkactivities of individual APs. In some embodiments, the testing apparatusis the controller of the network system. In some embodiments, thetesting apparatus is a distributed controller of the network system. Insome embodiments, the testing apparatus is an independent testing deviceof the network system. In some embodiments, the independent testingdevice is the same as a local testing device such as a mobile phone, adigital personal assistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet,a specialized networked testing device, and etc.

The functionality and configuration of a controller (e.g., a centralizedcontroller 140) are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1B depictsanother exemplary network to illustrate how such a provisioning mode maybe set up. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1B, network 110 is made upof APs 102, 104, 106, 108. APs are connected to, or in communicationwith a controller 140 through a network 120 (e.g., the internet). Insome embodiments, controller 140 sends to and stores information in datastorage 130. In some embodiments, controller 140 is located on datastorage 130. In some embodiments, a graphical user interface 150 is usedby the operator to coordinate turning on the provisioning mode andperform targeted testing. In some embodiments, a graphical userinterface 150 is associated with controller 140.

In some embodiments, a system controller includes a single chassis ormulti chassis resident in a centralized location, capable of accessingone or more APs. The APs are located either with the central controlleror distributed across a large network. Multiple APs have the capabilityof connecting to one or more network interface modules (NIMs). The NIMsare located in a computer or a device such as in a network appliance ora PDA. The AP aggregates one or more network interface modules andprovides advance services, including, for example, quality of service,traffic segregation, and traffic prioritization, etc.

In some embodiments, the functionality of a centralized controller isperformed by a distributed controller in a network system. Thedistributed controller can be a virtual controller. Like the controller,a distributed controller has the capability to get statuses from one ormore intelligent APs and intelligent network interface modules withinthe network and to cooperate with the intelligent components inestablishing command and control to provide a scalable, reliablenetwork. The APs have the capability of either working independently orin conjunction with the intelligent controller and the intelligentmobile nodes to deliver advanced services within a scalable wirelessnetwork.

In some embodiments the system controller may further include disparatemultiple chassis, where the virtual distributed controller functionalityis provided in a cooperative virtual distributed manner by one or morecomponents in the network. In such embodiments, the controllerfunctionality is not centralized within a single chassis. Rather, thefunctionality is distributed amongst the intelligent APs or intelligentmobile nodes. In certain embodiments, a single component (such as onesingle AP) may be elected to provide the controller functionality forother components. In an alternative embodiment, each component may beelected to provide the controller functionality required for the benefitof downstream intelligent controllers, such as an AP providing thecontroller functionality to one or more downstream intelligent mobilenodes.

In a virtual distributed controller embodiment, the individual mobilenodes making a communication link analogous to an intelligentcontroller. However, the request is rather served by the elected virtualdistributed controller rather than a single physical controller. Thesystem may interpret the destination of a given controller based on theoriginating nodes identity. Thus, a given mobile node making a requestto a controller would in fact be interpreted differently than adifferent mobile node making the same request. The virtual controller iscomposed of one or more intelligent components and thus a given requestis processed by the appropriate virtual component.

In traditional networks, as new nodes enter the domain of the existingwireless network, they act as resource sinks in that they requirenetwork service resources from the existing wireless network such asrouting, forwarding and management. The virtual distributed controlleris advantageous in that the new nodes entering the wireless networkdomain also provide additional resources to the wireless network, suchas computational resources and switching resources, and the ability tosupport network services such as routing, forwarding and management. Theuse of forwarding with quality and class of service policies furtherprovides the network with additional routes to be able to provide therequired service for the nodes within its domain. The virtualdistributed controller functionality specifically deals with thedistributing the management aspect of the wireless network.

In some embodiments, one or more network interface modules (NIMs)connected to the APs in a network function as independent testingdevices. For example, an independent testing device can sense the APswithin a certain range and cause them to broadcast their respectiveunique identifiers. An independent testing apparatus can also receiveand record data that represent the network activities of individual APs.In some embodiments, the independent testing device is the same as alocal testing device such as a mobile phone, a digital personalassistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet, a specializednetworked testing device, and etc.

In some embodiments, a wireless network is identified by a baseidentifier, for example, a service set identifier (SSID), which is asequence of characters that uniquely names the wireless local areanetwork (WLAN). An SSID is sometimes referred to as a “network name” or“network ID.” As illustrated in FIG. 1B, multiple APs in the samenetwork can have the same network ID. This name allows stations (e.g.,devices 108-a, 108-b, 108-n and etc.) to connect to the desired networkwhen multiple independent networks operate in the same physical area. Insome embodiments, an SSID is simply the 1-32 byte alphanumeric name.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary configuration of an AP. An AP asdescribed herein (e.g., element 104) has among other features, abroadcast element 210 through which wireless signals are broadcast, forexample, to locations within a physical distance to the AP. In someembodiments, unique identifier element 220 is also implemented in theAP, where one or more unique identifiers associated with one or moreradios of the AP are stored.

In some embodiments, the APs (e.g., elements 102, 104, 106, 108) arepredetermined such that each AP has an inherent unique identifier beforethe wireless network is set up.

The unique identifier can be a MAC address, a serial number, or anyother kind of predetermined unique identifier. Multiple uniqueidentifiers may be assigned to APs that are equipped with multipleradios to broadcast on different frequencies, where each radio has aunique identifier. For example, a representation of the radio frequencyvalue can be combined with the MAC address, serial number orpredetermined unique identifier to render a new unique identifiercontaining radio frequency information. In some embodiments, the APs areconfigured to broadcast the unique identifiers after a triggering event(e.g., upon receiving a signal or command from controller 140 of thenetwork). In some embodiments, the APs are configured to broadcast theunique identifiers periodically at a pre-determined time interval.

In some embodiments, all APs broadcast their corresponding uniqueidentifiers in response to a command or trigger from the controller, forexample, via identifier broadcast element 230. In some embodiments,identifier broadcast element 230 is a part of the broadcast element 210,for example, one or more unique identifiers are broadcast at the sametime as the wireless signal. In some embodiments, the AP may broadcastthe unique identifier instead of the regular network identifier such asan SSID. In such embodiments, the unique identifier may temporarilyreplace the regular network identifier such as an SSID when a testingmode is switched on for the AP or the network. In some embodiments,identifier broadcast element 230 is separated from broadcast element210. In some embodiments, only a subset of the APs broadcast theircorresponding unique identifiers in response to a command from thecontroller.

An exemplary configuration of a controller is illustrated in FIG. 2B. Asprovided herein, the controller can operate in any number of modesincluding but not limited to: a provisioning mode 240, an operating mode250 and a testing mode 260.

Provisioning mode 240 may be implemented to provide unique identifiersto each AP in the network (e.g., element 110 in FIG. 1B). Theprovisioning mode can be implemented in an existing network or whensetting up a new wireless network. In such embodiments, the networkcomprises multiple APs (e.g., elements 102 through 108 in FIG. 1B) and acontroller (e.g., element 130) that are in communication with each othervia a network connection. Once in the provisioning mode, the controllermay assign a unique identifier to each radio associated with each AP. Insome embodiments, the controller detects or receives unique identifierinformation from each individual APs. In some embodiments, uniqueidentifiers associated with individual APs are communicated from the APsto the controller pro-actively, for example, as a part of the set upprocess of the network. In some embodiments, unique identifiersassociated with individual APs are communicated from the APs to thecontroller reactively, for example, upon receiving a command from thecontroller.

Operating mode 250 may be implemented to maintain normal operation ofthe wireless network. In some embodiments, the wireless network is in anoperating mode when there is no need for individual APs to broadcasttheir individual unique identifiers. In such embodiments, the controllermay instruct the APs in the same wireless network to broadcast the samenetwork name, e.g., an SSID.

Testing mode 260 may be implemented when individual APs need to bedistinguished from each other, for example, when maintenance and repairof the APs may be needed.

In some embodiments, the provisioning mode, operating mode, and testingmode are implemented as alternatives to each other. In some embodiments,combinations of modes are implemented, for example, provisioning andoperating modes, provisioning and testing modes, operating and testingmodes, or provisioning, operating and testing modes.

Also provided in some embodiments of the system is a local mobiletesting device 160. A local testing device is designed to be moved todifferent locations within wireless network 110, for example, at placesnear different APs to evaluate their performance. Local testing device160 may be configured for any number of functionalities including atleast one of, but not limited to: 1) detecting the unique identifiersfor individual APs via an element 270; 2) receiving testing data from agiven AP after one or more unique identifiers are detected for radiosassociated with the particular AP; 3) bundling the data received withthe corresponding unique identifier. For example, data received via a 5GHz or 2.4 GHz frequency wireless band may be bundled with the uniqueidentifier corresponding to the perspective band.

FIG. 2C depicts an exemplary configuration of the system that may beused for testing individual APs. In the system, controller 140 and an AP(e.g., element 104) communicate with each other, for example, an APsends its unique identifier to the controller or receives a uniqueidentifier assignment from the controller. Also, for example, once theunique identifier is assigned, the controller may send a command to theAP to trigger the broadcasting of the unique identifier by the AP. Localtesting device 160 in turn may communicate with the AP to receive theunique identifier broadcast by the AP, for example, via element 270. Inaddition, local testing device 160 may also receive testing data fromthe AP via element 280. In some embodiments, the testing data aretransferred to controller 140. In some embodiments, testing data arefurther transferred to a remote data server for processing and analysis.

In some embodiments, information concerning unique identifiers and thecorresponding APs or AP radios are stored locally on the controller. Insome embodiments, information concerning unique identifiers and thecorresponding APs or AP radios are sent and stored on remote datastorage 130 and/or cloud storage. In some embodiments, for example inthe testing mode, the controller stores testing data concerning uniqueidentifiers and the corresponding APs or AP radios locally on thecontroller 140 or sends the data to remote data storage 130.

More Exemplary Methods and Systems

In some example embodiments, provided herein, are methods and systemsfor automatically and uniquely identifying individual APs and radiosassociated thereto, when the APs and AP radios are all connected to thesame wireless network. Also provided herein are methods and systems fortesting and evaluating the performance of individual APs or AP radioswithin the same wireless network, by using the unique radio testidentifiers associated with the APs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary overall process for provisioning uniqueidentifiers to individual APs and methods for utilizing the uniqueidentifiers after they have been provisioned. It is understood that theprocess steps outlined in FIG. 3 can but do not necessarily occur in theorder listed. Further, in some embodiments, each step in FIG. 3corresponds to a multiple-step method or process.

Step 310: Base Identifier of A Wireless Network

At step 310, a base identifier of the wireless network at issue isidentified. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, multiple APs areconnected within the same wireless network. In general, it is possiblethat a client device (e.g., 108-a) can be located near, and therefore bein range of more than one AP (e.g., device 108-a can receive signalsfrom both AP 106 and AP 108). However, from a client devices'perspective, there is no need to make distinction among the differentAPs, as long as the client device is connected to the network. Incertain embodiments, assigning the same based identifier, e.g., an SSID,may be advantageous in a WLAN set up because users of client devices canquickly identify the APs that belong to the same wireless network.

As described above, a base identifier may be assigned by the networkadministrator, via a controller or individually by AP, when the WLAN isset up, for example in a provisioning step. In some embodiments, thebase identifier may be pre-determined and recognized by the controllerafter the network has been established. The base identifier may beconsidered a network identifier that can distinguish a particularwireless network from other wireless network. For example, in a largeoffice building, when multiple companies are located in close vicinityto each other, multiple base identifiers or network identifiers may benecessary to allow users to select the appropriate wireless network forconnection.

Step 320: Provisioning Unique Identifiers

At Step 320 and as described hereinabove, a controller may be used toprovision unique identifiers to the APs. In some embodiments, when theprovisioning mode may be turned on for the controller, the controlleraccesses each individual APs and extracts one or more unique identifiersfrom the AP. In some embodiments, pre-determined unique identifiers arebroadcast by the APs and received by the controller. In someembodiments, the controller systematically assigns unique identifiers tothe individual APs.

In some embodiments, methods provided herein push a configuration itemto the APs to augment their SSID with a unique identifier (e.g., the MACaddress or serial number of the AP and etc.) thus allowing the tester tosee which AP the test device is measuring at any given time. This mayhelp avoid manual entry of individual AP SSIDs and avoids cumbersomework-arounds like turning off all the APs not being tested.

In some embodiments, the AP or a radio associated thereto broadcasts itsunique radio identifier in place of the network SSID. The unique radioidentifier is then received and processed by a controller (e.g., element130 in FIG. 1B) via a network (e.g., a cloud network 120). In someembodiments, the AP or radio also broadcasts the unique radio identifierat the same time as the network SSID, allowing an operator to performtesting while users maintain access to the WiFi network. In someembodiments, the configuration item could flip back and forth betweenthe base SSID mode and this testing mode with unique radio identifierfor each radio in each AP.

In some embodiments, a controller 140 may have a provisioning option tosystematically assign unique identifiers to each AP or radio. Thisprovisioning option may be turned on or off, e.g., by an operator orsystem administrator. When the provisioning option is turned on, thecontroller may assign each APs a unique identifier, such as a uniqueSSID, which replaces the network SSID. The controller may assign each APa unique SSID by using the network SSID and appending the serial numberof the AP to the network SSID. In another embodiment, the controller mayassign each AP a unique SSID by appending the MAC address (media accesscontrol address) of the AP to the network SSID. In yet anotherembodiment, the controller may further assign each radio in each AP aunique SSID by appending the frequency of that particular radio to theunique AP SSID. For example, radio frequencies corresponding to a 2.4GHz or 5 GHz wireless bands will be each have a unique identifier inwhich the frequency value is embedded.

In an alternate embodiment, the APs 102, 104, 106, 108 in a WiFi networkmay be connected to a network, such as a cloud network 120 and/orinternet. The AP may have a provisioning option to systematically assignunique identifiers to itself or its radios. This provisioning option maybe turned on or off by the operator. In such an embodiment, when theprovisioning option is turned on, the AP assigns itself a unique SSID.The AP may assign itself a unique SSID by using the network SSID andappending the serial number of the AP to the network SSID. In anotherembodiment, the AP may assign itself a unique SSID by appending the MACaddress (media access control address) of the AP to the network SSID. Inyet another embodiment, the AP may assign its radios a unique SSID bycombining the frequency of that particular radio with the unique APSSID. For example, the radio frequency can be appended to the unique APSSID.

In some embodiments, the AP may broadcast the original base identifier(e.g., network SSID) as well as the unique identifier (e.g., AP SSID).

When the provisioning mode is turned off, unique identifier (e.g., APSSID) of each AP or AP radio reverts back to the original baseidentifier (e.g., network SSID).

Step 330: Testing Mode

A method for testing and evaluating the performance of individual APs orAP radios within the same wireless network, by using the unique radiotest identifiers associated with the APs is summarized at Step 330. Insuch embodiment examples, unique identifiers have been assigned orpreviously provided to the individual APs or AP radios.

The method involves the coordination between the APs and the controller,or other central entity, so that they both initiate a testing mode.Testing mode can be initiated while the normal functionalities of thewireless network are maintained, including those of the APs, controller,network connection, remote server, monitor and etc. In some embodiments,the controller initiates the process by first entering testing mode orturning on the test mode. The controller may then send a signal orcommand to multiple APs so that testing mode on these APs are alsoinitiated. In some embodiments, all APs in the wireless network areinstructed to enter the testing mode. In some embodiments, only aportion of the APs in the wireless network are instructed to enter thetesting mode; for example, in a large wireless network, the APs can beinstructed to enter testing mode in different groups or sections.

Once an AP enters testing mode, it may start to broadcast one or moreunique identifiers associated with the particular AP. Multiple uniqueidentifiers can be broadcast if the AP is equipped to broadcast multiplewireless signals.

In some embodiments, the AP may broadcast the original base identifier(e.g., network SSID) as well as the unique identifier (e.g., AP SSID).

When the provisioning mode is turned off, unique identifier (e.g., APSSID) of each AP or AP radio may reverts back to the original baseidentifier (e.g., network SSID).

Step 340: Targeted Testing of Individual APs

A method for further testing and evaluating the performance ofindividual APs or AP radios within the same wireless network, by usingthe unique radio test identifiers associated with the APs is summarizedat Step 340.

The unique identifiers broadcast by the individual APs or AP radios maybe received by a mobile testing device. The device can be any portabledevice that can be used to detect the unique identifiers for individualAPs and AP radios and data associated therewith. Exemplary local testingdevices include but are not limited to a mobile phone, a digitalpersonal assistant (PDA), a portable networked device, a tablet, aspecialized networked testing device, and etc. In some embodiments,testing data recorded for a particular AP or AP radio is automaticallyrecorded on the local testing device as being affiliated with theparticular AP or AP radio. In some embodiments, the local testing deviceassociate the testing data with a particular AP or AP radio.

In some embodiments, the testing data are stored locally on the localtesting device. In some embodiments, the testing data are sent to andstored on the controller. In some embodiments, the testing data are sentto and stored on a remote server, directly from the local testing deviceor indirectly from the controller.

In some embodiments, an application, installed on a local testing devicemay be used. Such an application may be used to coordinate storing dataabout the APs, the SSIDs, the unique identifiers, the total number ofAPs to be tested, or any number of other things. Such an applicationcould coordinate testing with the APs and/or controllers throughout atesting environment.

Step 340: Data Analysis

In some embodiments, data analysis may take place on the local testingdevice. In some embodiments, data analysis takes place on the controllerand/or in the APs themselves. In some embodiments, data analysis takesplace on the remote server. Because the testing data are associated withthe unique identifiers with individual APs and AP radios, a user candetermine, test and evaluate the performance of a particular AP or APradio without turning off the other APs or AP radios.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating example embodiment steps by which aunique SSID may be assigned to each radio in the network to performtesting, the results of which may be stored in a server. In the example,the system first identifies a network identification such as an SSID410. Then the Provisioning Mode is turned on 420. In some embodiments,through a graphical user interface (GUI), the operator can turn on theprovisioning mode via the system, via an application on the localtesting device, or some combination of them. At some point, the systemreceives a unique id 422 from the AP itself, from a stored list ofidentifiers, or from the network. Then the unique id and SSID isassigned to each radio. After assignment of the SSID and unique id toeach radio, the testing may be performed 440 of the various radios.Because each radio is provisioned with a unique id as well as the SSID,the local testing device is able to discern the various APs/radios fromwhich the signals are emanating. The transmit data for each tested radiomay then be transmitted to the system 450. The system may then store thelist of tested APs, radios, and the test results.

CONCLUSION

As disclosed herein, features consistent with the present inventions maybe implemented via computer-hardware, software and/or firmware. Forexample, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be embodied invarious forms including, for example, a data processor, such as acomputer that also includes a database, digital electronic circuitry,firmware, software, computer networks, servers, or in combinations ofthem. Further, while some of the disclosed implementations describespecific hardware components, systems and methods consistent with theinnovations herein may be implemented with any combination of hardware,software and/or firmware. Moreover, the above-noted features and otheraspects and principles of the innovations herein may be implemented invarious environments. Such environments and related applications may bespecially constructed for performing the various routines, processesand/or operations according to the invention or they may include ageneral-purpose computer or computing platform selectively activated orreconfigured by code to provide the necessary functionality. Theprocesses disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particularcomputer, network, architecture, environment, or other apparatus, andmay be implemented by a suitable combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware. For example, various general-purpose machines may beused with programs written in accordance with teachings of theinvention, or it may be more convenient to construct a specializedapparatus or system to perform the required methods and techniques.

Aspects of the method and system described herein, such as the logic,may be implemented as functionality programmed into any of a variety ofcircuitry, including programmable logic devices (“PLDs”), such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), programmable array logic (“PAL”)devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices and standardcell-based devices, as well as application specific integrated circuits.Some other possibilities for implementing aspects include: memorydevices, microcontrollers with memory (such as 1PROM), embeddedmicroprocessors, firmware, software, etc. Furthermore, aspects may beembodied in microprocessors having software-based circuit emulation,discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy(neural) logic, quantum devices, and hybrids of any of the above devicetypes. The underlying device technologies may be provided in a varietyof component types, e.g., metal-oxide semiconductor field-effecttransistor (“MOSFET”) technologies like complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor (“CMOS”), bipolar technologies like emitter-coupled logic(“ECL”), polymer technologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymer andmetal-conjugated polymer-metal structures), mixed analog and digital,and so on.

It should also be noted that the various logic and/or functionsdisclosed herein may be enabled using any number of combinations ofhardware, firmware, and/or as data and/or instructions embodied invarious machine-readable or computer-readable media, in terms of theirbehavioral, register transfer, logic component, and/or othercharacteristics. Computer-readable media in which such formatted dataand/or instructions may be embodied include, but are not limited to,non-volatile storage media in various forms (e.g., optical, magnetic orsemiconductor storage media) and carrier waves that may be used totransfer such formatted data and/or instructions through wireless,optical, or wired signaling media or any combination thereof. Examplesof transfers of such formatted data and/or instructions by carrier wavesinclude, but are not limited to, transfers (uploads, downloads, e-mail,etc.) over the Internet and/or other computer networks via one or moredata transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and so on).

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including,but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number alsoinclude the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, thewords “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport refer to this application as a whole and not to any particularportions of this application. When the word “or” is used in reference toa list of two or more items, that word covers all of the followinginterpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of theitems in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

Although certain presently preferred implementations of the inventionhave been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations andmodifications of the various implementations shown and described hereinmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limitedonly to the extent required by the applicable rules of law.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a firstinterface circuit configured to communicate with another electronicdevice using a wired communication protocol; and a second interfacecircuit configured to communicate using a wireless communicationprotocol, wherein the electronic device is configured to: receive, atthe first interface circuit and associated with the other electronicdevice, an instruction to enter a test mode; transition, in response tothe instruction, to the test mode from a first operating mode; andprovide, from the second interface circuit, a testing identifier of thesecond interface circuit and addressed to the other electronic device,wherein the testing identifier uniquely identifies transmissions fromthe second interface circuit during the test mode, and wherein thetesting identifier indicates: a location of the electronic device, acarrier frequency used by the second interface circuit, or a range offrequencies used by the second interface circuit.
 2. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured toreceive, at the first interface circuit and associated with the otherelectronic device, the testing identifier of the second interfacecircuit.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the providing ofthe testing identifier comprises broadcasting the testing identifier. 4.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the testing identifier is onlyprovided in the test mode.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe testing identifier is different from a media access control (MAC)address of the second interface circuit.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the testing identifier is different from a networkidentifier of a wireless network.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6,wherein the network identifier comprises a service set identifier (SSID)of the wireless network.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein,while in the test mode, the electronic device is configured to receive,at the first interface circuit and associated with the other electronicdevice, a first trigger associated with the second interface circuit;and wherein the providing of the testing identifier is based at least inpart on the first trigger.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, whereinthe first trigger is addressed to multiple electronic devices, and themultiple electronic device include the electronic device.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronic device isconfigured to provide, from the second interface circuit and based atleast in part on the first trigger, a network identifier of a wirelessnetwork addressed to the other electronic device along with the testingidentifier.
 11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronicdevice is configured to: receive, at the first interface circuit andassociated with the other electronic device, a second trigger associatedwith the second interface circuit; and provide, from the secondinterface circuit and based at least in part on the second trigger, anetwork identifier of a wireless network addressed to the otherelectronic device and to not provide the testing identifier.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronic device isconfigured to not power off when another instance of the first triggeraddressed to another instance of the electronic device is received atthe first interface circuit.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the electronic device comprises an access point.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the other electronic devicecomprises one or more of: a controller, a distributed controller, or atesting device.
 15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device comprises multiple instances of the second interfacecircuit; wherein the electronic device is configured to receive, at thefirst interface circuit and associated with the other electronic device,testing identifiers of the instances of the second interface circuit;and wherein a given testing identifier of a given instance of the secondinterface circuit is different from the remaining testing identifiers.16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic devicecomprises multiple instances of the second interface circuit; andwherein the testing identifier is associated with the instances of thesecond interface circuit.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe electronic device is configured to provide the testing identifieraddressed to the other electronic device instead of a network identifierof a wireless network.
 18. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium for use in conjunction with an electronic device, thecomputer-program product storing a program module to selectively providea testing identifier, wherein, when executed by the transmittingelectronic device, the program module causes the electronic device toperform one or more operations comprising: receiving, using a wiredcommunication protocol and associated with another electronic device, aninstruction to enter a test mode; transitioning, in response to theinstruction, to the test mode from a first operating mode; andproviding, using a wireless communication protocol, a testing identifierof an interface circuit in the electronic device and addressed to theother electronic device, wherein the testing identifier uniquelyidentifies transmissions from the interface circuit during the testmode, and wherein the testing identifier indicates: a location of theelectronic device, a carrier frequency used by the interface circuit, ora range of frequencies used by the interface circuit.
 19. A method forselectively providing a testing identifier, comprising: by an electronicdevice: receiving, using a wired communication protocol and associatedwith another electronic device, an instruction to enter a test mode;transitioning, in response to the instruction, to the test mode from afirst operating mode; and providing, using a wireless communicationprotocol, the testing identifier of an interface circuit in theelectronic device and addressed to the other electronic device, whereinthe testing identifier uniquely identifies transmissions from theinterface circuit during the test mode, and wherein the testingidentifier indicates: a location of the electronic device, a carrierfrequency used by the interface circuit, or a range of frequencies usedby the interface circuit.
 20. The method of claim 19, while in the testmode, the method comprises receiving, using the wired communicationprotocol, a first trigger associated with the interface circuit; andwherein the providing of the testing identifier is based at least inpart on the first trigger.